Bristol is hardly a 24-hour city, but many of us do like a late-night rave and/or house party into the early hours of the morning. When the party finally does come to an end, the question remains: How do I get home? Usually stuck between a price-gouging taxi or an intimidating walk, a new night bus service will start in Bristol soon.
Starting April 8, Bristol’s first night bus service will start in the city centre travelling through Bedminster, Knowle West, Inns Court, Hengrove and Stockwood, before returning via Brislington and Temple Meads. The N2 will do one loop from Monday to Friday, starting at five past midnight, and will run every hour until 3am on weekends.
South Bristol locals have the London-based bus company Transpora to thank for the new service. They’ve also decided to resurrect the 90 bus route (stopped by First Bus a few years ago), which connects Broadmead to Bedminster, Knowle West, Imperial Park and Hengrove Park. Transpora also recently restarted the 5 through St Pauls, St Werburghs and Eastville (renamed the 25 bus route) and plans to bring back the number 23 to Ashton Vale.
Currently, the University of Bristol’s U1, which connects Clifton with the Stoke Bishop student halls, and several First Bus routes run through the night. The N2, however, will be the first dedicated night bus service in Bristol. We’re still a long way off London levels of public transport, but this may be the beginning of a bustling night bus system.
The N2 route:
Broad Quay: 12.05am
Knowle West: 12.20am
Stockwood: 12.35am
Brislington Square: 12.44am
At weekends, the N2 will also leave at 1.05am, 2.05am and 3.05am, on the same route.